Nebraska Man Sentenced in Methamphetamine Conspiracy

United States Attorney Steven Russell announced that Douglas Schmidt, 40, of Nebraska, was sentenced today in federal court in Omaha, Nebraska, for conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute 50 grams or more of methamphetamine.  United States District Judge Brian C. Buescher sentenced Schmidt to 180 months’ imprisonment. There is no parole in the federal system.  After his release from prison, he will begin a four-year term of supervised release.

On April 20, 2021, Hastings Police Department conducted a traffic stop. Schmidt’s co-defendant, Raquel Bloom, was the driver, and the passenger initially said his name was “Doug Wilson” but was later identified as Douglas Schmidt. Schmidt had an active warrant out of Merrick County and was detained.  Law enforcement could smell a distinct odor of marijuana coming from a backpack from behind the driver’s seat.  Bloom claimed the backpack was Schmidt’s. A search of the backpack located 426 grams of methamphetamine, 80 grams of marijuana, and numerous items of drug paraphernalia.  

Bloom has pleaded guilty to the same conspiracy and is scheduled for sentencing on May 17, 2023.

This case was investigated by the Nebraska State Patrol and the Hastings Police Department.